Rock Creek Park Group Picnic Areas (DC)

Rock Creek Park Group Picnic Areas (DC) in MD — photo 4

About this campsite

Overview

Eight group picnic areas in Rock Creek Park are available for advance reservation from April 1 through November 30. These picnic areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis from December 1 through March 31.

Recreation

Recreational activities in Rock Creek Park include: soccer, picnics, hiking, biking, roller blading, tennis, fishing, horseback riding and attending a concert or park ranger program.

Facilities

All picnic groves are equipped with multiple picnic tables, some also have fireplaces that can be used for cooking. User must provide a cooking grate or other cooking equipment. Picnic groves 1, 6, 13 and 24 have pavilions. Some sites offer access to toilet facilities, though not all. Please refer to specific grove descriptions for details.

Natural Features

Rock Creek Park is truly a gem in our nation's capital. Fresh air, majestic trees, wild animals and the ebb and flow of Rock Creek emanate the delicate aura of the forest.

Nearby Attractions

Rock Creek Park is located near many national monuments and museums in the nation's capital.

Location

Rock Creek Park Group Picnic Areas (DC)•MD

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Common questions about Rock Creek Park Group Picnic Areas (DC)

Can you book Rock Creek Park Group Picnic Areas (DC) online?

We hold no online booking link for Rock Creek Park Group Picnic Areas (DC), so it is not bookable through this page. For sites like this, turning up early in the day is the surest way to get a spot, particularly in peak season.

Where is Rock Creek Park Group Picnic Areas (DC)?

Rock Creek Park Group Picnic Areas (DC) sits in MD. The map on this page shows the exact spot, and the coordinates travel straight into your navigation app. Check road conditions before you set out if you are towing, since access tracks can change with the weather.

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Fort Dupont Park Picnic Areas

Overview Fort Dupont Park has three picnic areas that groups may reserve from spring to fall each year. There are also picnic areas available on first-come, first-served (no reservation required). Recreation The varied seasonal activities at this spacious area east of the Anacostia River include: picnic areas, hiking trails, Civil War programs, gardening, environmental education, concerts and special events, mountain biking and youth programs. Visit Fort Dupont's Things to Do web page. Facilities The three reservable picnic areas at Fort Dupont are:: Picnic areas A and B at Randle Circle. Both of these offer picnic tables, a grill and a nearby restroom building and playground. Electricity is not available on site. These areas have street parking but there is also a larger parking lot less than 1/4 mile from the picnic area. This site is also close to several park nature trails and the Fort Dupont Activity Center that has exhibits and other information about the park. No other amenities are available. The Historic Earthwork (Lanham Estates) picnic area on Alabama Avenue . This area offers a picnic shelter, tables, grill and a fireplace. Electricity is not available on site. This site also has an adjacent parking lot with open space nearby for playing games but there are no formal ball fields. This is also in the historic area of the park that contains the earthwork remnants of Fort Dupont and interpretive signage that give the history of the fort. This picnic area also offers access to the seven-mile Fort Circle Parks Hiker-Biker Trail, a seven mile trail that connects multiple fort sites in southeast Washington, D.C.. Natural Features Fort Dupont Park has 376 rolling wooded acres (152 ha), and is one of the largest parks in Washington D.C. Oak, beech and maple trees cover the hillsides. There is also a large area of mountain laurel that blooms in the spring each year. Nearby Attractions Visitors may also enjoy: Frederick Douglass National Historic Site Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum Anacostia Park and the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens Fort Circle Parks Hiker-Biker Trail, a seven mile trail that connects multiple fort sites from the Civil War Defenses of Washington in southeast Washington, D.C., is accessible from Fort Dupont's Lanham Estates picnic area. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (771) 233-3973. Charges & Cancellations Half day $65.00. Full day $130.00. No refund for cancellation.

13.1 km away

Greenbelt Park Ranger Station

The Ranger Station is located near the campground entrance, two miles from the park headquarters and park entrance.

13.2 km away

Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion

Overview The picnic pavilion at the Carderock Recreation Area is a large covered pavilion, open on three sides, that accommodates a maximum of 200 people. Convenient and ample parking is available for all attending your event as there are four parking lots. The pavilion is located between parking lots 1 and 2. Both flush toilet facilities are closed for emergency repair. Portable toilets are located in parking lots 2 and 4. Recreation The most popular activity for Carderock Pavilion attendees is hiking the three sections (A, B and C) of the Billy Goat Trail, one of the most popular and challenging rock hikes in the east. There are also many woodland trails for beginners and experts alike. Fishing is also a popular pastime in both the C&O Canal and the Potomac River. Be sure to acquire a Maryland fishing license for those age 16 or older. Virginia licenses are approved for fishing in the Potomac only. Facilities There are picnic tables in or around the pavilion and electricity (four 110-volt outlets) is available for your use. There are two large grills outside the pavilion and a large fireplace within the pavilion. Water and portable toilets are located nearby. There is a softball field and an area for volleyball or relay games. Horseshoe pits are near the front of the pavilion. All are for your use during your event. You must provide the sports equipment, though poles are provided for volleyball or badminton. Natural Features Carderock Paviion is just south of the Great Falls of the Potomac and Mather Gorge. These two stunning features provide an excellent example of local geology while showing the sheer force and power of nature. Contact Info This location is unstaffed. To speak with our main office for general information, please call: (301) 739-4200. Nearby Attractions The Billy Goat Trail is one of the most popular and challenging rock hikes in the east. The Great Falls Overlook and Great Falls Tavern are a few miles upriver.